Thursday, April 30, 2009

Tesco Photo Centre Services by HP

When it comes to photo printers, most home users would probably think Canon or Pixma before any other brands. The other popular brand is probably Epson. However, there are many marques eyeing the (probably lucrative) inkjet photo printer market. Brands such as Hewlett-Packard, Lexmark, Dell and Sony do produce photo printers but the number brand if without a doubt is Canon.

So, what can you do? HP have been relatively unsuccessful in this market, even though they have a commanding share in the laser printer market and some business inkjet market. HP probably decided that they need a different marketing strategy and have partnered with Tesco (in Malaysia anyway) for the Tesco Photo Centre Services.

Other than the regular 4R prints (currently at a promotional price of RM0.35 (USD0.10)), they do large format printing as well. They have packages for Photobooks, Calendars, Posters and Canvas printing.

From the display units and the sample prints of the photobooks and calendars, the quality is lacking. Somewhat a disappointment but then the speed at which they can do it for you is quite fast.

What I am interested in is the canvas printing as they have an offer at the moment.

16” x 20” Canvas (1 photo) – RM29.50

18” x 24” Canvas (1 photo) – RM49.50

20” x 30” Canvas (1 photo) – RM64.50

I will most probably want to try printing the 18” x 24” canvas someday.